Meyers, J., delivered the opinion of the Court in which McCormick, P.J., and Keller, Holland, and Womack, J.J., joined. Mansfield, J., joined the opinion of the Court and filed a concurring opinion. Price, J. filed a concurring opinion. Baird, J., filed a dissenting opinion in which Overstreet, J., joined.

OPINION ON APPELLANT'S PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW

    Appellant was convicted by a jury on two counts of tampering with government documents. The Fourth Court of Appeals affirmed Appellant's conviction. Carpenter v. State, Nos. 04-95-00839-CR and 04-95-00840-CR (Tex. App.--San Antonio April 16, 1997 pet. granted). We granted Appellant's petition for discretionary review to address whether the Court of Appeals erred⁽¹⁾ in holding Appellant was properly precluded from cross-examining State's witness Rudy Pete Rodrigues regarding federal conspiracy charges then pending against him.⁽²⁾

    Appellant argues that evidence of the pending federal charges was admissible under this Court's decision in Carroll v. State, 916 S.W.2d 494 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996).⁽³⁾ In Carroll, this Court stated that "[a] defendant is permitted to elicit any fact from a witness intended to demonstrate that witness' vulnerable relationship with the State." Carroll, 916 S.W.2d at 500 (citing Alford v. United States, 282 U.S. 687, 692 (1931) and Harris v. State, 642 S.W.2d 471, 480 (Tex. Crim. App. 1982)). Relying on that language from Carroll, Appellant posits that the pending federal charges demonstrated Rodrigues' vulnerable relationship with the State and thus cross-examination was improperly limited. We disagree.

    Exposing a witness' motivation to testify for or against the accused or the State is a proper and important purpose of cross-examination. Parties are allowed great latitude to show "any fact which would or might tend to establish ill feeling, bias, motive and animus on the part of the witness." London v. State, 739 S.W.2d 842, 846 (Tex. Crim. App. 1987). The existence of pending federal charges may be relevant to establish bias or motive, as a federal defendant's "substantial assistance" in a state prosecution may result in a downward departure from the United States sentencing guidelines. See United States Sentencing Guidelines § 5k1.1 18 U.S.C.A. The trial judge, however, has some discretion. Hurd v. State, 725 S.W.2d 249 (Tex. Crim. App.1987); Miller v. State, 741 S.W.2d 382, 389 (Tex. Crim. App.1987), cert. denied 486 U.S. 1061 (1988). A trial judge may limit cross-examination as inappropriate for a number of reasons. Carroll, 916 S.W.2d at 498 (citing Delaware v. Van Arsdall, 475 U.S. 673, 679 (1986) (for example, trial judge may exercise discretion to prevent harassment, prejudice, confusion of the issues, and marginally relevant interrogation)).

    In order to impeach a witness with evidence of pending criminal actions, the proponent of the evidence must establish that the evidence is relevant. Carroll, 916 S.W.2d at 494; London, 739 S.W.2d at 846-48. Appellant wished to introduce evidence that, at the time of trial, the witness in question had been charged with theft in federal court (18 U.S.C. 666) and conspiracy to possess and distribute controlled substances, in an attempt to show bias or prejudice towards the State due to a "vulnerable relationship." For the evidence to be admissible, the proponent must establish some causal connection or logical relationship between the pending charges and the witness' "vulnerable relationship" or potential bias or prejudice for the State, or testimony at trial.⁽⁴⁾ See, e.g., McDuff v. State, 939 S.W.2d 607, 618 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997) (permissible to show serious pending state charges against accomplice witness because such situation might have affected his testimony as a witness for the State; but impermissible to "elicit the accomplice witness's knowledge or lack of knowledge of the difference in parole eligibility minimum time periods" because it "would not have any further shown his vulnerable relationship with the State or his potential motive, bias or interest").

    Appellant has not established a causal connection or logical relationship between the pending federal charges and the witness' testimony at trial. Appellant does not argue, and the record does not demonstrate, why prosecution by the federal government for theft and conspiracy to possess and distribute controlled substances would tend to show that the witness' testimony in this unrelated state prosecution for tampering with government documents might be biased. Appellant asserts that "[i]t is possible the witness believed his testimony in this case would be of some benefit," but does not provide evidence to support her assertion. Indeed, even the testimony in support of Appellant's bill of exception does no more than establish the factual basis of the pending federal charges.⁽⁵⁾ In addition, the federal charges pending at the time of trial arose after the witness seized the evidence that forms the basis of this case, and after the witness provided pre-trial testimony. Appellant was free to use this pre-trial testimony to impeach the witness if it was inconsistent with his testimony at trial. Appellant did not show that the witness gave inconsistent testimony. The record shows that Rodrigues, a lieutenant with the Maverick County Sheriff's Department and a certified peace officer, testified regarding the process of seizing the documents with which Appellant was accused of tampering.⁽⁶⁾ Appellant has simply not provided any indication that the pending federal charges were relevant to potential bias or prejudice. Accordingly, we hold that the Court of Appeals' determination that "there was danger that allowing such cross-examination would confuse the jury, or tempt it to use the facts developed in an improper way"⁽⁷⁾ is sound.

    The judgment of the Court of Appeals is affirmed.

MEYERS, J.

Footnotes

1. While Appellant's ground for review is couched in terms of reviewing the trial court's evidentiary ruling, we note that the Court of Criminal Appeals is not an appellate court but a discretionary review court. We granted this petition to address an important point of law left unsettled by our opinion in Carroll v. State, 916 S.W.2d 494 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996).

2. The charges in question were later dropped. Carpenter, slip op. at 8 n.2.

3. In Carroll, four judges determined that the defendant should have been allowed to question a witness regarding then-pending state charges. Concurring, Judge Meyers, joined by Judge White, stated that the cross-examination should not be limited if the charges have been instituted by the same prosecuting authority:

The majority opinion did not address charges pending under a different prosecuting authority.

4. We emphasize that the proponent is not required to establish actual bias. What is required is that the proponent make a showing of the witness' potential for bias. Naked allegations which do no more than establish the fact that unrelated federal charges are pending do not, in and of themselves, show a potential for bias.

5. The testimony does not show, for example, the existence of a plea bargain agreement or negotiations, or show the witness' belief regarding the existence or non-existence of any kind of "deal." We note, however, that there are other ways to support the assertion that the witness believed testimony in this case would favorably affect the outcome of pending federal charges. It also fails to establish any connection between the state and federal charges.

6. Rodrigues described the layout of the court building offices; the execution of the consent to search form, which he signed as a witness; the bathroom where the box was discovered; the process of photographing the box after it was discovered; the chain of custody of the box after it was seized; and the reports made in connection with the seizure.

7. The Court of Appeals pointed out that the danger of jury confusion "was perfectly illustrated at oral argument, when Carpenter's counsel argued that since the federal charges implicated Rodrigues' conduct as a peace officer, the charges were relevant to cast doubt on Rodrigues' other actions as a peace officer." Carpenter, slip op. at 8. Appellant could not have used the pending charges to impeach Rodrigues' credibility because there was no final conviction. See Tex. R. Evid. 609 (substantively identical to former Tex. R. Crim. Evid. 609).

    I join the opinion of the Court. It is my opinion that appellant's right to cross-examine a State's witness concerning pending charges against the witness is implicated only where the pending charges have been brought by the same prosecutorial authority (or, perhaps, another nonfederal prosecutorial authority in Texas) which is prosecuting appellant. See Davis v. Alaska, 415 U.S. 308, 94 S.Ct. 1105 (1974); Carroll v. State, 916 S.W.2d 494 (Tex.Crim.App. 1996) (Meyers, J., concurring, at 501). Cross-examination of the State's witness concerning the pending federal charges would possibly also be within appellant's rights under the Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment where there was evidence that the State's witness would derive a benefit from the State concerning any pending State charges by testifying against appellant or where there was evidence the State agreed to tell the federal authorities the witness had been of assistance to the State.⁽¹⁾ See also, Davis v. Alaska, 415 U.S. at 321 (Stewart, J., concurring). The mere possibility the witness may derive a benefit under federal sentencing guidelines by testifying in a State prosecution on the State's behalf does not implicate the Confrontation Clause, based on any reasonable interpretation of the Supreme Court's holding in Davis v. Alaska.

    I join the opinion of the Court.

     MANSFIELD, J.

Footnote

1. The pending federal charges against the witness were ultimately dropped. In any event, at most, they could have been used only to show bias or motive and could not have been used to impeach the witness' credibility as there was no final conviction. See Tex. R. Crim. Evid. 609.

    I concur in the Court's judgment, and write separately to clarify my reasons for doing so.

    The witness sought to be impeached in this case was a police officer with the Maverick County Sheriff's Department. In his capacity as a police officer, he recovered evidence in the case against appellant and testified in a pretrial hearing regarding the recovery of this evidence before he himself was indicted on unrelated federal charges of theft and conspiracy to possess and distribute controlled substances. Sometime after his own indictment, he was called to testify for the State at appellant's jury trial on the merits.

    Appellant argues that she should have been permitted to impeach the officer with evidence of his pending federal charges. However, there is nothing in the record to show how those federal charges could place the officer in a vulnerable relationship with the state prosecutors who called him as a witness against appellant. Furthermore, there is nothing in the record which would establish how the officer's pending federal charges were relevant to his testimony at appellant's trial for tampering with government documents. See Tex. R. Evid. 401 & 402 (formerly Tex. R. Crim. Evid. 401 & 402) (defining "relevance" and stating that relevant evidence is generally admissible and irrelevant evidence inadmissible); Tex. R. Evid. 611(b) (formerly Tex. R. Crim. Evid. 610(b)) (a witness may be cross-examined on any matter relevant to any issue in the case, including credibility). Finally, although it is possible that the police officer could have possessed a knowledge of the United States Sentencing Guidelines, and thus testified against appellant in hopes of a downward departure if sentenced in his federal cases⁽¹⁾, there is nothing in the record to show that he was aware of the guidelines or that he had any type of "deal" with the federal prosecutors in charge of his case. In fact, appellant never argued this point to the trial court or to this court. To the contrary, neither appellant's offer of proof to the trial court nor her brief to this court establish anything other than the fact that federal charges were pending against the officer. Given all of this, it cannot be said that the trial court abused its discretion in restricting appellant's cross-examination of the witness. See Tex. R. Evid. 611(a) (formerly Tex. R. Crim. Evid. 610(a)) (courts shall exercise reasonable control over the mode and order of interrogation of witnesses and presentation of evidence, in order to make the interrogation and presentation effective for the ascertainment of the truth, avoid needless consumption of time, and protect witnesses from harassment or undue embarrassment); Delaware v. Van Arsdall, 475 U.S. 673, 679, 106 S.Ct. 1431, 1435, 89 L. Ed.2d 674 (1986) (trial courts retain wide latitude to impose reasonable limits on cross-examination dealing with bias, based on concerns about harassment, prejudice, confusion of issues, witness safety, or repetitive or only marginally relevant interrogation); Hurd v. State, 725 S.W.2d 249, 252 (Tex. Crim. App. 1987) (citing Delaware v. Van Arsdall). For these reasons, I concur in the judgment of the Court.

Price, J.

Publish

Delivered: September 30, 1998

Footnote

1. See 18 U.S.C. § 3553(e) (1998); 28 U.S.C. § 994(n) (1998); U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual § 5K1.1 (1998).

     In holding appellant was properly precluded from cross-examining the State's witness regarding pending federal charges, the majority misstates the holding in Carroll v. State, 916 S.W.2d 494, 497-98 (Tex.Cr.App. 1996) (holding cross-examination regarding pending charges against the State's witness is appropriate to expose a witness' motivation to testify).⁽¹⁾ See also Davis v. Alaska, 415 U.S. 308, 94 S.Ct. 1105, 39 L.Ed.2d 347 (1974); and, Alford v. United States, 282 U.S. 687, 51 S.Ct. 218, 75 L.Ed. 624 (1931). The majority and concurring opinions seriously misconstrue Carroll and disregard the import of federal law which impacts this case. Specifically, I dissent on three grounds.

    The majority erroneously holds the trial judge has the discretion to limit cross-examination regarding pending criminal charges. Ante at --, slip op. pp. 4-5. Nowhere in their opinion does the majority cite any authority for this holding. Case law is clear that a trial judge only has discretion to restrict inappropriate cross-examination. Carroll, 916 S.W.2d at 498. See also Delaware v. Van Arsdall, 475 U.S. 673, 682, 106 S.Ct. 1431, 1436-1437, 89 L.Ed.2d 674 (1986). This Court defined inappropriate cross-examination as "... cross-examination when a subject is exhausted, or when the cross-examination is designed to annoy, harass, or humiliate, or when the cross-examination might endanger the personal safety of the witness." Carroll, 916 S.W.2d at 498. See also Van Arsdall, 475 U.S. at 679, 106 S.Ct. at 1435 (trial judge has discretion to limit cross-examination to prevent harassment, prejudice, confusion of the issues, the witness' safety, and repetitive or marginally relevant interrogation). Conversely, "...the trial judge abuses [his] discretion when he limits appropriate cross-examination.⁽²⁾ Carroll, 916 S.W.2d at 499. This Court expressly provided that the parameters of appropriate cross-examination include questions regarding a State witness' pending criminal charges:

Id. 916 S.W.2d at 497-98. Additionally, "[t]here exists a long line of federal and state authority holding a pending criminal charge is an appropriate area of cross-examination." Id. 916 S.W.2d at 499. See e.g., Alford, 282 U.S. at 693, 51 S.Ct. at 220; Davis, 415 U.S. at 316-317, 94 S.Ct. at 1110-1111; Callins v. State, 780 S.W.2d 176, 196 (Tex.Cr.App.1986); Carmona v. State, 698 S.W.2d 100, 102-103 (Tex.Cr.App.1985); Harris v. State, 642 S.W.2d 471, 476 (Tex.Cr.App.1982) (citing Randle v. State, 565 S.W.2d 927 (Tex.Cr.App.1978)); Evans v. State, 519 S.W.2d 868 (Tex.Cr.App.1975); Lewis, 815 S.W.2d at 565; and, Miller, 741 S.W.2d 382, 389 (1987). Since cross-examination regarding pending charges is an appropriate area of cross-examination because it exposes a witness's motive, bias or interest in testifying, it is not subject to the discretion of the trial judge. The majority errs in holding otherwise.

    Second, the majority incorrectly concludes:

Ante at --; slip op. pp 3-4; and, in a footnote the majority continues:

Ante at --; slip op. pg. 4 at fn. 5. This holding is problematic for several reasons.

    As to the majority's first contention, neither this Court, nor the Supreme Court has ever hedged the accused's right to cross-examine a State's witness regarding pending charges on a requirement he "... establish some causal connection or logical relationship between the [witness'] pending charges and the witness' testimony at trial" (Ante at --; slip op. pg. 3). To the contrary, the Supreme Court, in Alford, 282 U.S. at 693, 51 S.Ct. at 220, specifically addressed the issue of whether the witness' pending charges and the nature of his testimony need to be related, and held:

Therefore, the majority's "causal connection" or "rational relationship" requirement is wholly unsupported.⁽⁴⁾

    Second, as to the contention the witness' testimony must "... show ... the existence of a plea bargain agreement or negotiations, or show the witness' belief regarding the existence or non-existence of any kind of 'deal,' (Ante at --; slip op. pg. 4 at fn. 5), case law is clear that the witness' motivation, bias or interest in testifying for the State need not be evidenced or proven, only "possible" or "potential." Carroll, 916 S.W.2d at 500.

    On the issue of whether a witness' potential motivation, bias or interest needs to be evidenced or shown by a plea agreement or negotiations, the majority demonstrates their utter misunderstanding of the purpose of cross-examination:

Ante at --; slip op. pg. 3, fn. 4. In fact, there is no requirement the accused make any "showing" of the [State] witness' potential for bias before being able to cross-examine that witness regarding his pending charges. In Alford, 282 U.S. at 692, 51 S.Ct. at 219, the Supreme Court explained:

Id. See also, Davis, 415 U.S. at 316, 94 S.Ct. At 1110 ("[t]he partiality of a witness is subject to exploration at trial, and is always relevant as discrediting the witness and affecting the weight of his testimony"). In Carroll, this Court reiterated that the very purpose of cross-examination regarding a witness' pending charges is to explore whether the witness has potential for bias:

See also, Harris v. State, 642 S.W.2d 471, 480 (Tex.Cr.App. 1982). Therefore, the witness' potential for bias need not be evidenced by a plea agreement, and the majority's comment regarding appellant's lack of a plea bargain disregards what this Court held in Carroll, 916 S.W.2d at 500:⁽⁵⁾

Federal case law also supports the premise there need not be evidence of a plea agreement or "deal" in order for the accused to explore by means of cross-examination the possibility of an agreement. United States v. Onori, 535 F.2d 938, 945 (5^th Cir. 1976). In Onori, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals held:

Onori, 535 F.2d at 945. See also, United States v. Mayer, 556 F.2d. 245 (5^th Cir. 1977) ("...a defendant's right to cross-examine a witness about any deals that may have been made or any understandings that may have been reached between the government and one of its witnesses does not hinge on whether in fact any such deals or understandings were effected.") [Emphasis in original]

    Third, the majority is incorrect the State witness' testimony must first demonstrate or "show" whether that witness believes or disbelieves there is a "deal," or even whether he believes or disbelieves his testimony will be of later benefit to him on his own criminal charges. Ante at --; slip op. pg. 4 at fn.5. This is so because appellant has a right to explore what the State witness believes or disbelieves in regard to his pending criminal charges in order to expose the witness' possible motive, bias or interest in testifying. In Carroll, 916 S.W.2d at 500, this Court explained:

Carroll, 916 S.W.2d at 500 citing Spain v. State, 585 S.W.2d 705, 710 (Tex.Cr.App.1979). See also, Alford, 282 U.S. at 692, 51 S.Ct. at 219; Saunders v. State, 572 S.W.2d 944, 948-949 (Tex.Cr.App.1978). Importantly, "... the failure to affirmatively establish the fact sought [in this case, whether the witness believed or disbelieved there was a deal] does not prevent the cross-examination from having probative value in regard to the witness' credibility." Carroll, 916 S.W.2d at 500 citing Spain, 585 S.W.2d at 710. For this reason, appellant was entitled to conduct an exploratory cross-examination regarding the witness' beliefs as to his pending criminal charges and his testimony on behalf of the State, without first proving whether the witness believed or disbelieved a "deal" existed. The majority fails to provide any support or legal analysis for their conclusion this established rule of law is inapplicable in the instant case.

    Lastly, the majority's holding a State witness' pending federal charges are not relevant to show that witness' motivation to testify on behalf of the State in a State prosecution ignores applicable federal law which specifically provides the federal defendant/State's witness with statutory motivation to testify on behalf of the State.

    The United States Sentencing Guidelines § 5K1.1 provides:

U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1, 18 U.S.C.A. It is well settled that a federal defendant's Asubstantial assistance" includes assistance to State and local authorities as well as federal authorities. The commentary following the United States Sentencing Guidelines explains:

Citing United States v. Love, 985 F.2d 732 (3^rd Cir. 1993). See also United States v. Lugman, 130 F.3d 113, 114 (5^th Cir. 1997), cert. denied, 118 S.Ct. 1855, 66 USLW 3758 (U.S., May 26, 1998) (No. 97-8826) (considering defendant's assistance to Alocal authorities in Texas" as potentially qualifying defendant for downward departure under §5K1.1, but deciding defendant's assistance unsubstantial); United States v. Egan, 966 F.2d 328 (7^th Cir. 1992), cert. denied, 506 U.S. 1069, 113 S.Ct. 1021, 122 L.Ed.2d 167 (1993) (assuming, without discussion, U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1 applies to assistance to state or local authorities as well as federal authorities); United States v. Shoupe, 929 F.2d 116, 120-121 (3^rd Cir. 1991), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 943, 112 S.Ct. 382, 116 L.Ed.2d 333 (1991) (same); United States v. Lewis, 896 F.2d 246 (7^th Cir. 1990) (same).⁽⁶⁾

    Appellant sought to cross-examine the federal defendant/State witness regarding his pending federal charge to expose any possible motive, bias, or interest the witness may have in testifying for the State. The majority holds the federal defendant/State witness has no motive, bias, or interest in testifying for the State because the witness does not have a "vulnerable relationship" with the State.⁽⁷⁾ Although applicable in Carroll, the "vulnerable relationship" inquiry is not the only means by which a State witness' motive, bias or interest in testifying can be established.

    The State's witness in the instant case has pending federal charges which do not create a Avulnerable relationship" between the witness and the State. However, § 5K1.1 is the nexus which links the witness' federal charges with his testimony in the State prosecution. Section 5K1.1 provides statutory motive, bias and interest in that it offers a federal defendant/State's witness the possibility of a lesser sentence on his federal charges in return for his testimony and cooperation with State authorities in the State prosecution. Therefore, § 5K1.1 necessarily produces the same kind of motivation and bias we recognized in Carroll. As long as § 5K1.1 is law, cross-examination regarding a State witness's pending federal charges will always be Aappropriate."

    The rule of law announced in Carroll, namely that pending criminal charges are an appropriate area for cross-examination to demonstrate any possible motive, bias or interest the State's witness may have in testifying, is applicable to the instant case because § 5K1.1 of the federal sentencing guidelines creates direct, statutory motivation. The majority opinion not only declines to follow Carroll and ignores this applicable federal law; it creates its own law, without any supporting authority whatsoever. Davis, Alford, and Carroll held a trial judge abuses his discretion if he limits cross-examination regarding a witness' pending charges because such cross-examination is protected by the Constitution and always Aappropriate" to expose the witness' possible motive, bias or interest. However, the majority opinion holds cross-examination regarding a witness' pending charges is within the sound discretion of the trial court.

    Because the majority opinion fails to recognize § 5K1.1 as providing the same statutory motive, bias and interest for a federal defendant/State witness that we recognized in Carroll, completely misconceives this Court's opinion in Carroll, and creates unprecedented rules of law in opposition to precedent, I dissent.

     BAIRD, J.

Overstreet, J. joins

Delivered: September 30, 1998

En Banc:

Publish

¹ The majority opinion cites Carroll, not for its rule of law, but for the dicta contained in Judge Meyers' concurring advisory opinion which states "... should these [pending] charges [of the State's witness] emanate from another jurisdiction or authority, I would hold that the release of the information to the jury is subject to a discretionary ruling of the trial court under rule 403 of the Texas Rules of Criminal Evidence." Carroll v. State, 916 S.W.2d at 501 (MEYERS, J. concurring).

    Likewise, Judge Mansfield's concurrence in the instant case, cites only Judge Meyers' concurrence in Carroll, and not the Court's opinion. Judge Price's concurrence does not even cite Carroll or its underlying precedent Davis v. Alaska, 415 U.S. 308, 94 S.Ct. 1105, 39 L.Ed.2d 347 (1974), and Alford v. United States, 282 U.S. 687, 51 S.Ct. 218, 75 L.Ed. 624 (1931) at all.

    Furthermore, the majority attempts to lessen the import of the rule of law announced in Carroll by stating only "...four judges determined..." this holding. This is inaccurate. In fact, five judges supported the Carroll holding: Baird, J. authored the opinion of the Court, Clinton, Maloney, and Overstreet, J.J. joined without comment, and Meyers, J. "concurred" with comment, but clearly stated "... I join the opinion of the Court."

² In United States v. Mayer, 556 F.2d 245 (5^th Cir. 1977), the Fifth Circuit explained the trial court's discretion in limiting the extent of cross-examination, and held:

³ All emphasis mine unless otherwise indicated.

⁴ For their causal connection/rational relationship argument, the majority miscites McDuff v. State, 939 S.W.2d 607, 618 (Tex.Cr.App. 1997), with the following parenthetical:

Ante at --; slip op. pg. 3. McDuff does not hold, or even suggest, that there must be a connection or relationship between the witness' pending charges and his testimony in order for those charges to be admissible on cross-examination. Rather, McDuff merely explains that appellant was properly permitted to cross-examine the witness on his pending charge pursuant to Carroll. The ultimate holding in McDuff centers on an issue which has no bearing on the instant case, i.e., the issue of that same witness' knowledge of parole eligibility:

McDuff, 939 S.W.2d at 618. When read in its entirety, and put in a relevant context, the holding in McDuff is of no consequence to the instant case.

⁵ Judge Price also ignores what we held in Carroll when he states:

⁶ The majority opinion, as well as Judge Price's concurring opinion addresses our argument that § 5K1.1 provides statutory motivation for a federal defendant/State witness to testify by admitting:

(Ante at --; Slip op. pg. 2). and,

Ante at --; slip op. pg. 2 (PRICE, J. concurring).

Even with these written admissions, both opinions conclude § 5K1.1 does not establish motivation, such as this Court recognized in Carroll, in the instant case.

    All the same, the opinions in this case evidence that a majority of this Court obviously agrees § 5K1.1 serves to make the State witness' pending federal charges "relevant" to establish "bias or motive," and/or made the witness testify "in hopes of a downward departure." Therefore, I fail to see how the majority and concurring opinions can ignore case law from this Court and the United States Supreme Court which mandate appellant be entitled to cross-examine the witness regarding his pending charges to expose potential motive or bias on the part of the defendant/testifying witness. Particulary, the majority is wrong to deny appellant the right to cross-examine the State's witness regarding his pending federal charges in order to expose the potential motive created § 5K1.1 of the United State Sentencing Guidelines which provides the federally charged defendant with a motive to testify for any authority, including the State.

⁷ In Carroll, this Court held Carroll was permitted to cross-examine the State's witness, who had State charges pending against him, and to expose any possible motive, bias or interest the witness had, and "...to elicit any fact from [the] witness intended to demonstrate that witness' vulnerable relationship with the State." Carroll, 916 S.W.2d at 500.